Construction worker dies after being hit by concrete pump hose at Tengah BTO construction site, Singapore News

A 29-year-old construction worker died in hospital after being hit by a concrete pump hose at a construction site in Tengah last Thursday (January 2).

The incident occurred at around 8.40 p.m. at the construction site of Plantation Edge I and II, a build-to-order (BTO) project of the Housing Development Board (HDB).

In response to AsiaOne’s inquiries, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said an Indian construction worker was carrying out foundry work using a concrete pump truck when one of the truck’s four supports pierced the concrete ground on which it was standing.

Booms are used to ensure the stability of construction equipment.

The machine then tilted and the worker was hit by the pump hose.

MOM said it was currently investigating the incident and that “no compromise on workplace safety must be made under any circumstances.”

Construction company in contact with the victim’s family

Speaking to AsiaOne, HDB said the employee was transported to Gleneagles Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

“We will provide the family with all the support and assistance they need during this difficult time,” HDB added. “HDB is taking this incident very seriously. Safety on our construction sites is our top priority and we are working with the construction contractor to assist authorities with their investigation into this matter.”

According to MOM, the construction worker was employed by Keong Hong Construction, a subsidiary of Keong Hong Holdings Limited.

A spokesman for Keong Hong Holdings said the employee had been employed with them since 2019 and that they had contacted his family in India to provide them with support, “including financial assistance to help them through this difficult time.”

They also added that they are reviewing safety protocols and procedures to prevent repeat incidents in the future.

In a response to AsiaOne, police said they were alerted to the death of a 29-year-old man following an industrial accident in Plantation Crescent on January 3 at around 1:05 am.

Initial police findings indicate that there is no suspicion of a crime.

20 workplace fatalities in 2024: MAMA

This is the first reported workplace death in 2025.

Five workplace fatalities were recorded in the first half of last year, with the number tripling to 15 in the second half, according to MOM’s December report.

Of the 14 construction sites where workers died in the second half of 2024, nine were found to have inadequate safety management systems.

On January 7, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad addressed parliament, calling for greater vigilance as the Chinese New Year approaches, when companies may face additional pressure to complete projects.

“We will monitor the progress of the measures implemented to further improve safety and accountability,” Zaqy said, adding that it would take time for the measures to be implemented.

These measures include the mandatory installation of video surveillance systems on larger construction sites, as well as greater emphasis on safety considerations when evaluating construction bids.

“Oozing Self-Satisfaction”

In 2024, MOM carried out over 3,000 construction site inspections.

Last November, MOM issued a statement calling on construction companies to implement safety breaks and increase safety efforts.

MAMA issued a work stoppage order during: Visit to the Seah Construction construction site on November 7 due to multiple safety violations, including poor cleaning and missing handrails.

“We see complacency creeping in,” Zaqy said at the workplace, emphasizing the need to stop the virus before it spreads.

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